The Prodigy’s Keith Flint dead at 49

Keith Flint of The Prodigy has sadly passed away at the age of 49, Getintothis’ Banjo looks at one of dance music’s most iconic frontmen.

Keith Flint of The Prodigy has been found dead at his home.

The only other details we have at the moment is that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Essex police have released a statement saying: “We were called to concerns for the welfare of a man at just after 8.10am on Monday. We attended and, sadly, a 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed”

Keith Flint was perhaps the public face of The Prodigy and gave them much of their punk aesthetic. Although originally mainly a dancer for the band, his snarling vocals on TheProdigy‘s Fat of the Land album gave them an edge of menace and transformed them forever.

He was instantly recognisable, with strange spiky hair, piercings and tattoos. His on stage personality matched his extreme image, prowling the stage and staring at the audience, before breaking into a huge grin.

Firestarter, heavily featuring Flint’s vocals, gave the band their first number one single. Breathe, again featuring Flint on vocals, repeated this trick, helping to propel them into the big league.

The video for Firestarter was banned by the BBC after Flint‘s contorted face and air of menace prompted complaints from worried parents.

He was also responsible for the lyrics – the first he had written for The Prodigy – containing lines such as “I’m the bitch you hated, filth infatuated’. The second summer of love, it seemed, was over and The Prodigy were there to usher in a darker, edgier phase.

Tributes have been quick to appear, with Ed Simons of Chemical Brothers saying: “Oh gosh, so sad to hear about Keith Flint, he was always great fun to be around and very kind to Tom and I when we first started doing shows together.. great man” and even Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner tweeting “RIP Keith, you leave so many great memories behind“.

Jo Whiley said on Twitter “Oh this is sad news. The death of Keith Flint. Whenever our paths crossed he was an absolute sweetheart. Really lovely. Incredible iconic frontman with a soft centre.”

Getintothis would like to pass condolences on to Keith Flint’s family, friends and fans.